“Have I mentioned how much I hate the cold?”
Celestia had to duck her head slightly, to conceal her momentary annoyance with Chrysalis' stubbornly poor mood. Turning to the Changeling Queen at her side with a calm smile “You may have mentioned it once or twice, Chryssie.”
“And yet you insist upon the two of us traipsing about Canterlot for hours on end. While it's snowing, no less. On the side of a mountain. Tell me, what is the point of having 'weather-ponies' if we have to put up with this?” Chrysalis asked testily.
“It's Winter, Chrysalis. I can't very well go about changing that.” Celestia pointed out, with slightly less patience than before.
“And yet, you absolutely could change it with little more than a word to the right ponies.” Chrysalis pointed out.
“It's more complicated that that, and you know it, Chrysalis. So, you'll have to forgive me if I don't take your suggestion to upend the seasons for some momentary comfort.” Celestia replied.
Chrysalis rolled her eyes at this, though didn't argue against the alicorn's point; while her changelings were not themselves the sort to be overly concerned with the weather, she did in fact know that it was a complex subject. Not having to waste their efforts with such things was another benefit to building down, rather than up, as these ponies were so insistent upon doing. Underground, and with proper building techniques, the air would stay warm and dry through the winters, and reasonably cool during the blistering summers of the Badlands. Sure you may have lacked for natural lighting, but that seemed a reasonable trade-off, in her mind. To say nothing of the comforting familiarity of her former home...
And once again, she found herself missing the, now abandoned, tunnels of her hive. A home that was nearly as old as Equestria itself, had been left behind by her subjects after having migrated into the lands of the Crystal Empire. There her changelings could freely live off of the power projected outward by the Crystal Heart, rather than causing any harm by feeding upon ponies. And it was all under the watchful eyes of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.
Chrysalis' mood only soured further.
Chrysalis couldn't blame Celestia for her current circumstances, knowing all the events that had lead up to the present. And, if she was being honest with herself, she couldn't even truly blame Cadenza for not allowing her within the borders of the Crystal Empire, after everything that had transpired...
“Regardless, there is no reason for us to be out here right now. This insipid little play of yours doesn't even begin for several hours, so I fail to see point of us being down here.” Chrysalis just really felt the need to complain a bit right now. And she knew that at least Celestia wouldn't take it personally, if she wanted to vent some of her frustrations.
“Well, first of all, I rather resent your description of the play as 'insipid'. It's a Hearth's Warming Eve tradition and it presents a story that is dear to many of my little ponies' hearts.” Princess Celestia explained patiently.
“I know the story better than any of your little ponies, and you know it.” Chrysalis countered.
“And secondly, I was hoping that this could prove itself as a fine opportunity for us to show that you are not the terrifying figure that many of my subjects still believe you to be.” Celestia continued, not paying any mind to Chrysalis' remark.
Princess Celestia did however note the way the Changeling Queen rolled her eyes.
“Chrysalis...did you not claim that you wished to make-up for your past mistakes?” Celestia quietly asked.
Chrysalis had to pause for a moment, before scowling and glancing off to the side “...I may have phrased it differently...but, yes.”
“...I believe that putting to rest some of the fears that you have inspired in my subjects would be an excellent step in that pursuit, don't you?” Celestia asked imploringly.
The Changeling Queen visibly struggled with this question for several moments. Settling for scowling off to the side, as she forced her thoughts into order, Chrysalis loosed a heavy sigh “...It's still cold.”
Celestia gave as kindly a smile as she could at this, knowing Chrysalis well enough to recognize when the Changeling Queen was admitting that Celestia was, in fact, right. Celestia lightly bumped Chrysalis' side with her own, to gain back the changeling's attention “Well, if it's so cold, I suppose it's good that I'm here with you. Come now, you've been cooped up for far too long in the castle.”
“And who's fault is that?” Chrysalis halfheartedly sniped.
While Celestia's smile did not fade, she did pointedly raise an eyebrow at the question.
“...Yes, I know it's my fault. Shut-up.” Chrysalis admitted, even as she tried to avoid sounding as if she was starting to enjoy their exchange.
Celestia chuckled at this, before shaking her head in amusement “See now? You are capable of having a bit of fun. When you care to, at least.”
“Perhaps...but let's not pretend that this play is going to be anything other than tedious.” Chrysalis replied.
Princess Celestia had to quiet her own chuckles at that remark “Yes, well...misery is best shared with those you most care about.”
“I knew it. Behind all this talk of allaying fears and getting me out of the castle, you just don't want to be stuck attending this thing on your own...How uncharacteristically selfish of you.” Chrysalis teased, earning another quiet chuckle from the Princess of the Sun.
And it surely would be terribly boring for the Princess of the Sun to sit through this same play, yet again. Having managed to stoically attend such traditional functions year after year, Chrysalis had to wonder how the whole ordeal hadn't driven Celestia mad by this point. Though the Changeling Queen knew well, that Celestia would never disappoint her little ponies by appearing as anything less than enthralled with each and every performance.
Perhaps, bearing with some boredom was a small price to pay for the sake of pleasing her adoring subjects.
Chrysalis supposed that she could relate to that...
The Changeling Queen gave an internal sigh before casting her gaze about their surroundings. The ponies moving to and fro, smiling and laughing with one another, as they went about decorating the Canterlot street didn't seem intent on bothering the royal duo. Wreathes, ribbons, and decorative lamps were being set up all along the street, even as the snow continued to gently drift down. No doubt, the weather-ponies involved were following very specific guidelines for what constituted just the right amount of snow to both set the mood for the holiday and leave Chrysalis feeling groggy and miserable. Meanwhile, those not busying themselves with such things, were busy at their stalls selling foods, toys, and even more decorations for Hearth's Warming Eve.
It all seemed terribly wasteful to Chrysalis.
Yes, her subjects held their own occasional festivals and celebrations, but they never went to such lengths over such things. Changelings may well have a similar appreciation and respect for the great accomplishments of past changelings, but this went well beyond that. They, sheltered and carefully hidden from the outside world for so long, couldn't afford to invest this much effort into...frivolity.
Or, at least, that used to be the case.
Where her subjects were now, perhaps they could afford to waste their efforts on such pointless things. Living in the Crystal Empire, under the nourishing power of the Crystal Heart, they might be able to work to not just survive, but improve their lives. Maybe in a few decades, she'd end up finding out about some curious celebration her own subjects were now holding. Chrysalis didn't get ponies. While she had a great deal of knowledge on them, mostly regarding the art of blending in amongst and manipulating them. She didn't get these holidays, but understood that they made ponies happy. Would it be so wrong if her changelings could do the same? To find times for enjoying one another and bringing about happiness...
In the Crystal Empire, hundreds of miles away, under the watchful eye of a pony that had every right to loath Chrysalis...
The Changeling Queen spared a glance to those ponies that they passed along the streets, noting the way their cheer became forced as they took note of herself. Celestia's presence, and perhaps the discreet presence of the two Royal guards following behind, seemed to be keeping them from becoming too fearful. Still, the ponies whose faces lit-up at the sight of their Princess, became hesitant and anxious moments later when they caught sight of Chrysalis, the nefarious villain that had invaded their peaceful home, not so long ago.
After a few moments of consideration for the alicorn at her side, Chrysalis loosed a heavy sigh.
This earned a curious glance from Celestia, who then tilted her head towards the Changeling Queen “Is something wrong, Chrysalis?”
“No, everything's fine.” Chrysalis replied.
“...You're sure that you're...fine?” Celestia asked doubtfully.
“That is what I said.” Chrysalis pointed out.
Princess Celestia furrowed her brow at this, before coming to a stop in the middle of the street. Leaning closer in to the Changeling Queen, with concern lacing her voice now “I'm afraid I don't believe you, Chryssie. There's something on your mind, isn't there?”
“And why can't I still be fine, even if something is?” Chrysalis countered, with a touch annoyance.
Celestia didn't say anything, but instead continued to send her a worried look, that silently asked for the Changeling Queen to reveal what was bothering her.
“...I already told you that nothing is wrong.” Chrysalis reiterated, turning her gaze to the side now.
“We don't have to do this, if you truly don't wish to, Chrysalis. We can return to the castle, if you'd like?” Celestia quietly offered.
“Do you think I can't endure this little outing?” Chrysalis asked in agitation.
“I'd rather you not spend so much effort trying to endure everything, Chrysalis.” Celestia countered, showing a bit of agitation, in turn. Taking a calming breath, before she continued “Please...I would rather that you speak frankly with me. And to trust that, even if I cannot help, that I care enough to want to know. Can we do that?”
“...I am more than capable of putting up with this little holiday.” Chrysalis reaffirmed.
Celestia frowned at Chrysalis' stubborn response “I see...is that all that-”
The Changeling suddenly loosed a low snarl of aggravation, before casting her sight down the street. Her gaze coming to a stop upon a rather extravagantly decorated store front, with a small group of ponies hoofing out small candies to the foals that passed by, Chrysalis abruptly began marching over.
“Chrysalis? Hold a moment!” Reaching a hoof out that failed to catch the Changeling Queen, Princess Celestia couldn't help but briefly glance to the two royal guards escorting her. After a moment, they both shrugged, equally unsure of how they could help this situation.
Neither of them had any training as relationship counselors.
A moment later, the Princess of the Sun shook her head before quickly following after her irate changeling.
It was rather easy, as the ponies along the street were quickly clearing a path for Chrysalis, anxiously shying away from her and seeking safety with those around them, even as the Changeling Queen utterly ignored them. Chrysalis frowned mightily as she approached the ponies that had been distributing candies, as these ponies noticed her purposeful approach. As the crowd cleared from the front of the store, most of the treat-distributing ponies likewise retreated, leaving a single young Earth Pony stallion holding a bowl of candy anxiously standing in front of her.
Briefly staring down upon the terrified stallion, taking note of his rather cozy looking scarf and the ridiculous looking hat he was wearing, Chrysalis turned her gaze back the way she came.
Princess Celestia quickly approached, which seemed to be something of a relief to the many ponies surrounding Chrysalis now, sending the Changeling Queen a look of consternation and confusion.
“You.”
Before Celestia could speak up however, or otherwise take control of the situation, Chrysalis suddenly jabbed her hole-filled hoof in the direction of the stallion, causing him to jump in surprise. And, incidentally, launching a goodly portion of the contents of his candy bowl into the air.
Chrysalis remained impassive as she was pelted with several pieces of candy, restraining the urge to scowl down upon the already terrified pony.
For the stallion's part, he managed to meet Chrysalis own gaze, before attempting to swallow down a bit of his own anxiety. With an audible gulp “Y-y-yes?”
“What is your name?” Chrysalis asked.
The stallion blinked at this, not having expected the question, before glancing to Chrysalis' side to Princess Celestia. While still uncertain herself, as to what Chrysalis was going on about, she took a moment to send a reassuring smile towards him. Looking back towards the Changeling Queen, he took a moment to clear his throat “H-Hardy Hopscotch...Ma'am.”
“I see...and are you going to offer your Princess of the Sun a piece of candy, or not, Hardy Hopscotch?” Chrysalis asked in an imperious tone.
“...Uhm.” The stallion again glanced between the Changeling Queen and Princess Celestia, his fear for the terrifying Changeling in front of him giving way to confusion.
“Do you, or do you not adore Princes Celestia?” Chrysalis demanded.
“...Yes?” He agreed.
“And you want her to be sure that she shares in your...Hearth's Warming Eve cheer, correct?” Chrysalis continued.
Hardy nodded, not taking his eyes off of Chrysalis. Princess Celestia was doing the same, alternating between watching the changeling with curiosity and maintaining her poise, in the hopes of keeping her subjects calm.
“Yet, you have not seen fit to offer her a piece of candy?”
“I-...well, no.”
“Do you think she does not deserve a piece of your candy?”
“O-of course not!”
“Does she have to save the world, again, before she can have a piece of candy?”
“No.”
“Are you afraid of her?”
“I-...no.”
“...”
“...”
“...”
“Then offer her a damned piece of candy!” Chrysalis suddenly snapped, causing nearly everypony watching this strange scene to jump with surprise.
Princess Celestia, after getting over her own surprise, took in the many confused stares of her subjects, before sidling a bit closer to Chrysalis.
“...Chrysalis-” Princess Celestia began.
“I-...would you like a piece of candy for Hearth's Warming Eve...Y-your highness?” Hardy Hopscotch suddenly chimed in, while holding out a piece of candy towards Princess Celestia.
It was Celestia's turn to blink in confusion, as she stared down upon the colorfully wrapped treat resting upon the stallion's hoof. She turned towards Chrysalis, as if she wished to say something, before she seemed to think better of it. After spending another moment considering the Changeling at her side, she let a slow smile start to form.
Focusing back upon the young stallion in front of them, Celestia gave a nod and a kindly smile to Hardy Hopscotch, before retrieving the candy with her magic “I would love one. Thank you.”
“Good. Now-” Chrysalis began.
“W-...would you like one, ma'am?” Hardy asked, while holding out another piece of candy towards the Royal Changeling.
“...No. Thank you.” Chrysalis replied after a moment. Seeming to shake off the question, she turned her gaze towards the heavily decorated storefront “Now...as I was saying, were you the one that saw to the decorations on this building...Hardy Hopscotch?”
“Well, not entirely...” He answered relatively quickly, depositing the candy back into the candy bowl, before glancing towards the rest of the ponies that had been giving out candy. They all seemed to be keeping their distance still.
Chrysalis followed Hardy's gaze, before letting it rest upon this small group of ponies. Narrowing her eyes slightly at this sight “You three! Stop your cowering and come here.”
Hardy's fellow employees each jumped with a start, before they slowly edged over, ducking their heads a bit as Chrysalis kept her harsh gaze upon them.
“Now...tell us about these decorations and the efforts you put into them.” Chrysalis ordered.
While Hardy seemed to have relaxed a bit, his comrades were all blatantly staring up at the Changeling Queen, with varying degrees of worry and uncertainty.
“Now, if you don't mind.” Chrysalis snapped.
A few minutes later...
“Well...that was certainly different.” Princess Celestia noted, enjoying her small candy, as they cantered away from a very bemused crowd of ponies.
“Mm.” Chrysalis quietly grunted.
Narrowing her eyes a bit at this non-remark, Celestia drew to halt, while placing a hoof across Chrysalis' own withers to get her to do the same.
Chrysalis sighed, before turning towards Celestia “What is it now?”
Celestia sent her a look of compassion and worry, not so very different from the one she had given Chrysalis during their argument. Admittedly this one was less strained and much warmer than earlier.
After a few moments of silence, Chrysalis turned to the side to huff in annoyance, before facing Celestia with a grumpy expression “My ears are freezing, and this cold is making me tired and hungry. I'm hundreds of miles away from my own subjects. And your subjects have managed to turn a celebration of the accomplishments of some of the few genuinely interesting ponies of their past into a saccharine bore...”
Celestia nodded, still sporting a small smile “...And?”
“And...while I rather doubt that I will enjoy this day...I have no intention of letting you not enjoy this day with your subjects.” Chrysalis eventually admitted.
Chrysalis noted that, for just a few moments, Celestia smile seemed just a bit less practiced. A bit less carefully perfected for the sake of others. And just a bit more natural...
“I see...and, you're quite certain there is nothing I could do to make this day just a little bit enjoyable for you, Chryssie?” Celestia asked, as she bumped Chrysalis' side with her own.
“Not a thing.” Chrysalis agreed, as she eyed the Princess at her side.
“Well, that's a shame...I was hoping we could swing by a little cafe I know of...” Celestia replied.
“And what is there that would be of interest to myself in this little cafe?” Chrysalis asked, with a raised, skeptical eyebrow.
“Only what is reputedly the best cups of hot cocoa that can be found in all of Canterlot...that's all.” Celestia said.
“...That is not even the least bit subtle of you.”
“I'm not trying to be subtle.”
“So you admit you're not even trying now?”
“They also have fudge...And I was thinking, that if it might have made things a bit more enjoyable for you, we could have indulged for a little while...”
“Oh...”
“But since you're so sure that you won't be able to enjoy yourself, Chryssie, I suppose we might as well-”
“Fine. That might make this day a bit more enjoyable...Are you happy now?”
“...Very much so, Chrysalis.”